Pro Tools 8 Kit. The Complete Professional Workflow for Music Production

271 Pages·2009·21.641 MB·English

by  Robert J. Shimonski and Chris Basile (Auth.)

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Shimonski, Robert.
Pro Tools 8 kit : the complete professional workflow for music production /
Robert J. Shimonski ; Chris Basile.
p. cm.
Includes index.
ISBN 978-0-240-81115-4 (pbk. : alk. paper)
1. Pro Tools. 2. Digital audio editors. I. Basile, Chris. II. Title.
ML74.4.P76S52 2009
781.3’4536--dc22
2009018379
British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
ISBN: 978-0-240-81115-4
For information on all Focal Press publications
visit our website at www.books.elsevier.com
Typeset by: diacriTech, Chennai, India
09 10 11 12 13 5 4 3 2 1
Printed in the United States of America
Preface
Welcome to Pro Tools 8 Kit – The Complete Professional Workflow for Music
Production, brought to you by Focal Press! In this book and on the companion
Web site, we will have a detailed look at all of the steps you will need to use
Pro Tools 8 LE effectively in a production environment. You will find a step-by-
step process not only to get you up to speed with Pro Tools 8 LE but also to
become efficient with its use, so that you can record and produce audio in a
professional recording studio or in your own home-based project studio. This
book is full of helpful hints on how to quickly navigate Pro Tools 8 and take
advantage of its offerings. We explore a large amount of production-specific
problems and their solutions throughout the book, providing answers to com-
monly asked questions.
Today, much of the world relies on digital audio to get news or education
or to communicate. The production of a podcast, ringtone, loop, sample,
or full-length album are only a handful of examples showing how much
we use and rely on digital audio today. When producing this audio, a com-
plete workflow for music production would be one that starts with a solid
plan and ends with a deliverable that exceeds your expectations, and this
is no easy task. There is much to do, such as preproduction, the recording
process, editing, mixing, mastering, and finalizing your work. There are also
steps taken to ensure a backup of that work is produced for safe-keeping.
Obviously, there is much more to do, such as setting up the equipment or
software needed and the actual recording process itself. It's important to
learn and master this entire process so that as an audio engineer or producer
you can work in a productive and efficient manner to produce the best qual-
ity work possible. You also do not want to spend weeks behind the console
when time is a factor.
In this book and on the Web site, we cover each step you need to take to
produce top-notch-quality audio and give literally hundreds of tips along the
way to make your time spent behind the console easier and more productive.
This book covers new functionality found in Pro Tools 8, such as new scor-
ing and composing tools, using Sibelius, and working with new session tem-
plates that inevitably will make your life easier during the setup phase when
starting a recording. In addition, we also cover exploring your Digital Audio
Workstation (DAW), setting up Pro Tools, treating your area, using digital
plug-ins, instruments, microphones, outboard gear, and much more. You will
find many helpful solutions to help maximize your effectiveness while produc-
ing and engineering – especially in long sessions where being effective on a
ix
Preface
control surface or keyboard can save you time, money, and, in some cases,
injury. This book was designed to help you get started with Pro Tools 8 LE and
by the time you complete the kit feel confident that you will have mastered
all the steps needed to work with and record with Pro Tools 8 to produce a
product for distribution.
We will also illustrate methods for successfully recording and editing as a pro-
fessional and/or project studio producer (including information on some use-
ful additional equipment) to guarantee a smooth running production session
and give you the tools necessary to produce content with Pro Tools 8 LE. The
book is broken down into seven chapters to cover each step of the production
process:
Chapter 1 – Introduction
In this chapter, we start with a look at how to prepare a DAW for use and how
to set up all needed hardware before installing Pro Tools 8. This section covers all
current Digidesign hardware offerings that interoperate with Pro Tools 8 LE, how
to select which ones you need, how to configure and connect them properly, and
any other preinstallation steps required before performing an installation of Pro
Tools 8 LE. Additionally, we will discuss steps to soundproof a space, as well as
headphones and monitor/speaker selection. This chapter also covers how to pre-
pare for and perform an upgrade of Pro Tools 8 LE on an Apple Macintosh system,
use the iLok key, and much more.
Chapter 2 – Session setup
Now that your DAW is complete, you are ready to start using Pro Tools 8 LE and
taking advantage of its many features. In this chapter, we will start up a new
session and learn about session parameters, using common tools, and navigat-
ing the workspace. We will also learn how to use session templates, the Mix and
Edit windows, Transport tools, tracks, plug-ins, routing, I/O, and preferences. This
chapter is a complete walkthrough and gives you a great understanding of how to
work with many of Pro Tools’ most critical features. It will get you ready to begin
the next phase of music production – composing your work!
Chapter 3 – Composing
Now that you are familiar with Pro Tools, let's get to work. In this chapter, we will
look at how Pro Tools 8 LE allows you to score and compose like a true profes-
sional. With Pro Tools 8 LE, you can now build upon your creativity with new and
enhanced tools such as the fully integrated MIDI and Score Editor windows, which
allow for more possibilities when editing and working with MIDI. This chapter cov-
ers scoring, composition, and the use of MIDI devices, as well as the new MIDI
functionality in Pro Tools 8 LE and Sibelius.
x
Preface
Chapter 4 – Recording
Now let's get to work recording audio, using microphones and learning about how
to track with Pro Tools 8 LE in a production environment. In this chapter, we will look
at the recording process in detail, how Pro Tools 8 LE functions in a recording ses-
sion, and the new functionality that enables you to be more productive when at the
console. We will cover the use of recording with microphones, amplifiers, and instru-
ments, including live instruments like drums and percussion. We will also look at the
numerous products that now ship with Pro Tools LE such as AIR virtual instruments.
Chapter 5 – Editing
In this chapter, we will take your recorded work and show you how to manipulate
tracks and regions and enhance the recording with new tools and features found
in Pro Tools 8 LE. We will learn about the Edit window, editing modes, editing tools
such as the Zoomer, Smart, and Grabber tools, and much more. Additionally, we
will look at how to use fades, work with playlists, and use Beat Detective.
Chapter 6 – Mixing
In this chapter, we will cover how to mix and prep your work for final mastering
with Pro Tools 8. We cover mixing concepts, use of effects, automation, and much
more. We will also take a close look at not only using digital plug-ins but also out-
board gear to enhance your mix and then your final mixdown.
Chapter 7 – Delivery
In this chapter, we cover the final transport of your session, including the session
bounce, and how to choose from the various options you can select from. This chap-
ter also covers the steps you take after final mixdown to create a high-quality CD and
also discusses how to properly use iTunes and other importing/exporting tools. In this
chapter, we also cover how to prepare for any disaster. As you will discover, any pro-
duction facility today that works with digital audio or video files finds hard disk space
to be a challenge. Finally, it covers how to store your sessions and software, prepare
for the worst, and get back online if any issues do occur via a backup of your system.
Appendix A – Keyboard shortcuts
The ultimate printout and quick reference guide to mastering the keyboard with
Pro Tools 8.
Pro Tools 8 Web site
The Web site has five video modules, taking you through DAW setup, record-
ing, editing, mixing, and delivery. This book and the Web site take the Pro
Tools user through every step of the production process and demonstrate
exactly what the software can deliver in a production session.
xi
Preface
The step-by-step approach allows Pro Tools users to learn new features and
achieve professional results fast. There are many ways of working with Pro
Tools, and this book is unique in that it demonstrates multiple methods of
working, allowing the user to choose the method that works for them and the
situation they are in by illustrating each item with clear text- and image-based
examples. The goal of this book and the Web site is to serve as a guide and a
reference tool to help you become familiar with the recording and production
process using Pro Tools 8 LE. This book can help you understand the toys,
tools, and day-to-day practice of music recording and production.
We hope that you enjoy this work as much as we enjoyed making it for you.
Now, let's get to work!
xii
About the Authors
Rob Shimonski is a well-noted author and educator in the fields of business
and technology. An avid studio designer, audio engineer, studio musician, and
Pro Tools expert, Rob works in today’s most challenging environments provid-
ing solutions and delivering results.
Chris Basile is a veteran producer, recording engineer, and musician who
specializes in studio design and deployment, Pro Tools LE and HD systems,
as well as both audio and video production. He has spent over 20 years on
both sides of the glass and just recently opened SubSonic Audio, a full-service
recording facility in New York.
Both Rob and Chris are specialists in DAW design and deployment and helped
to test Pro Tools 8 LE with Digidesign prior to its official release. Rob and Chris
can be found online at http://www.protools101.com, where you can learn
more about the authors and the book, and download materials, sample ses-
sions, podcasts, videos, tips, and white papers.
xiii
Acknowledgments
Rob and Chris would like to thank Catharine Steers, Carlin Reagan, David
Bowers and Monica Mendoza from Focal Press for their help in creating the
Pro Tools 8 Kit, and Greg Robles at Digidesign for his help with the Pro Tools
8 beta program. A special thanks is due to to Bruce Bartlett for his help in
technically editing the work.
xv
In this chapter
1.1 Introduction 3 1.11 Headphones and monitors 20
1.2 The Digital Audio Workstation 3 1.12 Treatment and soundproofing 21
1.3 Software and hardware 1.13 Getting Pro Tools 8 LE 23
planning 6 1.14 Using iLok 24
1.4 Understanding Pro Tools hardware 1.15 Upgrade Apple OS X 25
offerings 7 1.16 Prepping the system before
1.5 Understanding Pro Tools-based installation 25
control surfaces 12 1.17 Configuring an external
1.6 Cable management 15 drive 27
1.7 MIDI hardware 17 1.18 Installing and upgrading to Pro
1.8 Microphones 17 Tools 8 LE 30
1.9 Triggers and drum processors 19 1.19 Powering the DAW on and off 34
1.10 Using outboard gear 20 1.20 Summary 35
1
Introduction
In this chapter, we start with a look at how to prepare a Digital Audio Workstation
(DAW) for use and how to set up all needed hardware before installing Pro
Tools 8. This section covers all current Digidesign hardware offerings that inter-
operate with Pro Tools 8 LE, how to select which ones you need, how to configure
and connect them properly, and any other preinstallation steps required before
performing an installation of Pro Tools 8 LE. Additionally, we will discuss steps to
soundproof a space, as well as headphones and monitor/speaker selection. This
chapter also covers how to prepare for and perform an upgrade of Pro Tools 8 LE
on an Apple Macintosh system, how to use the iLok key, and much more.
1.1 Introduction
Pro Tools (made by Digidesign) is a computer-based audio recording soft-
ware program that runs on both Macintosh- and Windows-based operating
systems. Pro Tools version 8.0 (the latest release) does not disappoint – its
enhancements, new look and feel, and newly available tools make it one of
the leading programs on the market today. In this chapter, we are going to
start the process of planning, designing, and then building a DAW, which is
the nervous system for your digital audio recording workflow and production
process.
1.2 The Digital Audio
Workstation
The DAW is where music is recorded, engineered, and produced. In the days
before digital recording, engineers primarily recorded with analog compo-
nents. While a DAW is primarily found within a digital domain, it does not
mean that analog is no longer used. Although many argue the pros and cons
3
Pro Tools 8 Kit: The Complete Professional Workflow for Music Production
of using either analog or digital, it is safe to say that a mix of both is usually
the best solution when planning your DAW.
In this section, we will look at all of the items you will use to construct your
DAW. We provide the blueprints to the most common designs and show you
how to add external components such as analog gear. You should customize
your DAW to your wants and needs. How you build yours is up to you.
A DAW is simply a computer system running Pro Tools (or other recording/
editing software) and connected to a hardware device that allows you to
connect other devices such as electric instruments, microphones, Musical
Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) devices and instruments, and much more.
Pro Tools 8 will only run with certain audio interfaces such as the Mbox2,
which we will cover later. Although today’s DAWs can be a simple laptop with
a few peripherals, Figure 1.1 shows an example of an expanded DAW within
a recording studio making use of a control surface, analog gear, and monitors
within a treated listening space.
Figure 1.1 Viewing
a DAW in a recording
studio.
A key feature of DAWs is their flexibility, as you can build anything you
need so that you have the ability to freely manipulate recorded sounds.
Normally, the computer system needed to run the software requires a large
amount of processing power, memory, and hard disk space. Because of this,
extremely high-powered systems are used to run your basic DAW, so it’s rec-
ommended that you purchase or use a computer that has the extra horse-
power. Today, most PC- and Macintosh-based systems handle the task without
issue. Although both platforms are available for use, most audio profession-
als prefer the Macintosh due to its proven time-tested stability. Pro Tools 8.0
LE currently runs on both Apple Macintosh OS X (Leopard) and Microsoft
Windows Vista or XP.
4